Demolition work is scheduled to begin this week on 12 buildings in order to make way for the Brooklyn Atlantic Yards project and the Nets' new basketball arena.

The job will begin with the removal of hazardous substances like asbestos, which is expected to take two to three weeks.

Developer Forest City Ratner says the entire job is expected to take five months.

The buildings to be demolished include five on Pacific Street, three on Flatbush Avenue, two on Vanderbilt Avenue, and on each on Dean Street and Atlantic Avenue.

Ratner says minority-owned firms are being paid $2 million to handle the demolition.

Construction of the new arena for the Nets is set to begin this fall, along with thousands of apartments, commercial buildings, and a hotel.

The city and state have both given the green light for the $4 billion project.

Opponents say this work is premature, since eminent domain lawsuits are still pending.